Courtroom Dispute Breaks Out as Satirical Show Production Company Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal
For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the quintessence of British courtesy and understatement – rendering this recent portrayal as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.
However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the film studio and rights holders that own the intellectual property.
Court Action Launched Against Studio
The film producers, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.
A high court complaint, initially covered by industry publications, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The legal document doesn't detail the particulars of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show features sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.
Controversial Portrayal Particulars
The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in latest movie adaptations.
He then switches to a generic South American accent before shouting: "I am from Peru, motherfuckers – I am Paddington Bear from Peru! You most likely remember me from the films Paddington, Paddington 2 and Paddington in Peru. I also had a major part in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."
At the end of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.
Historical Context of Comedy Program
The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful collection of podcasts produced by multiple media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its targets – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Original series was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings declined
- Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Lasted two series before being cancelled again
Platform Adaptation
Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through suggested videos.
In the first show, viewed more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington urges the rightwing billionaire to go to Mars. "You are excessively genius for one planet," he says. "As I say about my cocaine, it is only right to share."
He subsequently says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The duo also present an advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear starts another section by observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Official Responses
The film company refused to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the subject of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been contacted for response.